Communications network call initiation transition

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for initiating telephony calls are presented. In one example, a phone call initiation is detected on a first communications network. The phone call initiation is redirected to a second communications network. The call is connected utilizing the second communications network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The convergence of computers, voice communications, and the Internet hasrevolutionized the manner by which people are able to conduct voicecommunications. People today have the capacity to conduct voice callsusing a variety of devices. For example, the use of low cost Voice overInternet Protocol (VoIP) calls has increasingly become available tocallers.

Despite the immediate availability and low cost of office telephonysystems such as traditional PBX landlines or PC-based telephony, usersin an office environment will often use their mobile phone to initiate acall. In many cases the caller does not intend or anticipate leaving theoffice area during the duration of the call, but still selects to use amobile phone to initiate the call for any of several reasons, includinghabit, contact information, phone features, convenience, and preference.

However, mobile calls on cellular networks often have lower audioquality and are typically more expensive than fixed-line officetelephony systems. Hence, when available, organizations would prefertheir workers use fixed-line office telephony systems rather than mobilephones.

This phenomenon is particularly pronounced for enterprise workerstravelling overseas where roaming charges for mobile calls aresignificant. Often, the worker may use his mobile phone in acircumstance where a VoIP capable PC is within close proximity. Thesecalls unnecessarily incur high mobile roaming and termination charges,and may result in a lower quality call.

As a result, there is a need for improved methods and apparatuses forinitiating telephony calls utilizing alternate communication networks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be readily understood by the followingdetailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for call initiation transfer using a headsetin one example.

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of the headset shown inFIG. 1 where the headset utilizes the Bluetooth protocol.

FIG. 3 illustrates the system shown in FIG. l in an example usagescenario.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for call initiationtransfer in one example.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for call initiationtransfer in a further example.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Methods and apparatuses for initiating telephony calls are disclosed.The following description is presented to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention. Descriptions of specificembodiments and applications are provided only as examples and variousmodifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thegeneral principles defined herein may be applied to other embodimentsand applications without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widestscope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalentsconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Forpurpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is knownin the technical fields related to the invention have not been describedin detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

In one example, a method for call initiation includes detecting a phonecall initiation on a first communications network, redirecting the phonecall initiation to a second communications network, and connecting thecall utilizing the second communications network.

In one example, a method for call initiation includes detecting a phonecall initiation by a first phone device on a first communicationsnetwork, redirecting the phone call initiation to a second deviceoperable on a second communications network, and connecting the callutilizing the second communications network.

In one example, a system for call initiation transfer includes a firstphone device operable on a first communications network and a secondphone device operable on a second communications network. The systemfurther includes a third device configured for communications with thefirst phone device and the second phone device. The third device isoperable to detect a phone call initiation to a desired destination bythe first phone device, and the third device is further operable toinitiate a call by the second phone device to the desired destination.

In one example, a method for call initiation includes receiving at abody worn device a call initiation indication of an outgoing call to adesired destination initiated by a first phone device operable on afirst communications network. Responsive to receiving the callinitiation indication, a call initiation instruction is transmitted fromthe body worn device to a second phone device operable on a secondcommunications network. The call initiation instruction is configured toinitiate a call by the second phone device to the desired destinationover the second communications network.

In one example, a body worn device includes a wireless transceiverconfigured for communications with a first phone device and a secondphone device. A processing system is configured to detect an outgoingcall to a desired destination initiated by the first phone deviceoperable on a first communications network, and initiate a call by thesecond phone device to the desired destination over a secondcommunications network.

In one example, a system for call initiation transfer includes a mobilephone operable on a cellular communications network and a second phoneoperable on a second communications network. The system further includesa body worn device such as a headset or other hands-free audio deviceconfigured for communications with the mobile phone and the second phonedevice. The body worn device is operable to detect a phone callinitiation to a desired destination by the mobile phone, and the bodyworn device is further operable to initiate a call by the second phonedevice to the desired destination. The body worn device is furtheroperable to initiate termination of the phone call to the desireddestination by the mobile phone device.

In one example implementation, a headset is connected to officetelephony or a VoIP-equipped PC and a mobile phone simultaneously. Whenthe user initiates a call on the mobile phone, the out-call procedure isintercepted by the headset and redirected to the office telephone orVoIP-equipped PC. The call is then initiated by the office telephony orPC instead of the mobile phone. The initial mobile phone call isterminated. Upon initiation of the outgoing call, the VoIP-equipped PCor office telephone may send a confirmation acknowledgement to theheadset which may be output as an earcon. Once the outbound call isestablished, the headset is utilized to conduct the call conversation,with audio transmitted between the headset and the VOIP-equipped PC oroffice telephone.

Functionality is implemented by firmware or software at the headset,mobile phone, and/or office telephony. The mobile phone may send thecall parameters to the headset; in turn the headset forwards theparameters to the office telephony. The call initiation transition canoccur automatically or require user approval. Where user approval isrequired, if the user declines to redirect initiation of the call, thecall connection process is allowed to continue at the mobile phone or,if previously terminated, a new call is initiated by the mobile phoneusing a last number redial command from the headset.

In the case where call parameters are insufficient, the office telephonycan prompt the user for more information. For example, local telephonenumbers stored in the mobile phone may not contain area codes.Alternatively, the office telephony can use other data to determine thecorrect telephone number. For example, the mobile phone can forward thecaller's last name and a PC (office telephony) can cross-reference thename with an Outlook address book to retrieve the associated dialnumber.

The systems and methods described herein advantageously synchronizesmobile/office telephony information, combine the features of the mobilephone with the sound quality and connection reliability of a landline,and reduce telephony costs.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system for call initiation transfer using awireless headset in one example. The system includes a headset 2operating in multipoint mode paired with both a mobile phone 4 and atelecommunications device such as a personal computer (PC) 6 executing aVoIP application 24 (also referred to herein as a “VoIP telephone” or a“softphone”). In a further example, the system includes a headset 2operating in multipoint mode paired with both a mobile phone 4 and atelecommunications device such as a “landline” phone connected to a PBXor the PSTN.

Personal computer 6 may, for example, be a notebook computer, desktopcomputer, or PDA type device. Mobile phone 4 is in wirelesscommunication with cellular network 16, and can initiate outbound callsvia the cellular network 16. Mobile phone 4 may receive incoming callsfrom the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 22 through cellularnetwork 16. A call initiation redirect application 26 residing onheadset 2 provides for seamless transition of initiation of call made bya user from mobile phone 4 to initiation of the call by PC 6 such thatthe call is initiated and subsequently connected using IP network 8instead of cellular network 16.

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of the headset shown inFIG. 1 where the headset 2 utilizes the Bluetooth wireless protocol. Infurther examples, other wireless protocols may be utilized, such as IEEE802.11. For clarity, not all components of the headset 2 areillustrated. The headset 2 includes a Bluetooth module 50, an audioencoder/decoder 68, memory 62, controller 48, user interface 30, speaker32, and microphone 35. Controller 48 may include a variety ofprocessors, such as digital signal processors.

User interface 30 includes a key input 40. Key input 40 includes ahookswitch function 42, volume up input 45 and volume down input 47. Theuser interface 30 may also include one or more output interfaces 38typical to headsets, such as LED indicators or some form of a display.The speaker 32 may also be used as an interface output.

Bluetooth module 50 includes a transceiver 52 having a transmitter 54and a receiver 56. In one example, Bluetooth module 50 receives andtransmits a wireless signal utilizing the Bluetooth protocol Hands-FreeProfile. The wireless signal transmitted by transmitter 54 includesoutbound audio 58 and Hands-Free Profile command messages received fromcontroller 48. Inbound audio 61 and control data is received by receiver56 and sent to controller 48. Audio encoder/decoder 68 is used forprocessing a digital audio signal and an analog audio signal as known inthe art.

The Bluetooth transceiver 52 is operable to simultaneously formBluetooth ACL and SCO links with PC 6 and mobile phone 4. Controller 48is operable to receive user input commands 130 from user interface 30and convert these commands to Hands-Free Profile digital commandmessages. In one example, controller 48 is part of a Bluetooth chip set.These Hands-Free Profile digital command messages are sent to Bluetoothmodule 50 for wireless transmission using Bluetooth module 50.Controller 48 also receives inbound audio or audio files for output byspeaker 32 following decoding by audio encoder/decoder 68. Userinterface 30 can be any combinations of visual interfaces, tactileinterfaces, and/or an audio interface that allow the user to inputcommands.

Memory 62 stores a call initiation redirect application 26 executed bycontroller 48 to perform call initiation redirect functions as describedherein. Such call initiation redirect functions may be selectivelyenabled by the headset user. In one example, call initiation redirectoccurs automatically when the headset is within range of both mobilephone 4 and PC 6. In a further example, while a call initiation redirectmode is enabled, the user must confirm that a call initiation to PC 6 isdesired when an outgoing call made by the user at mobile phone 4 isdetected.

In one example, the call initiation redirect application 26 enables theheadset 2 to enter a call initiation redirect mode, where during thecall initiation mode the headset 2 is configured to detect an outgoingcall to a desired destination initiated by the mobile phone 4 operableon cellular network 16. The headset 2 detects the dial number of thedesired destination and transmits a make outbound call command to the PC6, where the command includes the dial number of the desireddestination. This command operates to initiate an outbound call by thePC 6 to the desired dial number destination over IP network 8.

In one example, PC 6 includes a PC call redirect application 27interfacing with VoIP application 24. The PC call redirect application27 is configured to receive an outbound call command from callinitiation redirect application 26 and instruct VoIP application 24 toinitiate the outbound call. In one example operation, call initiationredirect application 26 is configured to detect an outgoing mobile callby mobile phone 4. If headset 2 is in a re-direct operation mode (e.g.,physically or wirelessly connected to PC call redirect application 27),call initiation redirect application 26 sends instructions to mobilephone 4 to terminate the outgoing call, and sends the dialed digits toPC call redirect application 27. PC call redirect application 27performs any processing required to translate the received dial digitsinto a sequence that can be dialed by the VoIP Application 24 to makethe outbound call.

In one example, the headset 2 initiates outgoing voice calls bytransmitting the dial number (i.e. destination phone number) to aBluetooth audio gateway at the PC 6. To begin the call set up, headset 2initiates a Service Level Connection establishment between the headsetand the PC 6 and sends a proper ATDdd . . .dd command to the PC 6. ThePC 6 then begins the, call establishment procedure using the dial numberreceived from headset 2 and issues a +CIEV result code with a value(callsetup=2) to notify the headset 2 that the call set-up has beensuccessfully initiated.

If an audio connection is not already established, the PC 6 establishesthe proper audio connection and routes the audio paths of the outgoingcall to the headset 2 immediately after commencement of the ongoing callset up procedure. Following call connection, the PC 6 issues a +CIEVresult code with a value indicating (call=1).

In one example, once the call is connected by PC 6, the conversation isconducted utilizing the headset 2 over the wireless link between PC 6and headset 2. Following detection of the outgoing call by mobile phone4, the call initiation redirect application 26 is further configured totransmit a terminate outbound call command to the mobile phone 4, as thecall initiation has been redirected to be made by PC 6. Memory 62 isalso used to store digital data, and can take a variety of well knownforms, such as flash memory or memory integrated with controller 48.

In one example operation, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 together, auser of mobile phone 4 may initiate a call using mobile phone 4 overcellular network 16 to a desired call participant at a telephone 21 or atelephone 20. If headset 2 is in range of and in communication withmobile phone 4 and PC 6, the headset 2 operates to transfer initiationof the call on cellular network 16 to initiation of the call on IPnetwork 8. In a further example, headset 2 is paired with mobile phone 4and detects an outgoing call initiation by mobile phone 4. The headset 2determines if it is in range with PC 6. If yes, the headset 2 redirectsthe call initiation to the network on which PC 6 operates. If no, thecall connection process by mobile phone 4 continues.

In one example, headset 2 receives a call initiation indication of anoutgoing call to telephone 21 or telephone 20 initiated by mobile phone4 on cellular network 16. Receiving the call initiation indication mayinclude receiving numerical data associated with a dial number for thedesired destination of the outgoing call.

Responsive to receiving the call initiation indication, a callinitiation instruction is transmitted from the headset 2 to PC 6. Thecall initiation instruction is configured to instruct PC 6 to initiate aVoIP call over IP network 8 to the desired destination telephone 21 ortelephone 20. In addition, headset 2 transmits a call terminationinstruction to the mobile phone 4 to terminate the detected outgoingcall initiated by the mobile phone 4.

In a further example, the user is presented with an option to transferthe call initiation to the PC 6. If the user accepts the call initiationredirect, a call terminate command message is sent by the headset 2 tothe mobile phone 4. If the user declines the call initiation redirect,the call is connected on the cellular communications network.

In one example, when the tall initiation indication is received, anappropriate communication is output at the headset user interfaceinforming the headset user that the call initiation is being redirectedfrom being made by mobile phone 4 to being made by PC 6. The headset mayenter a call initiation redirect mode during which the call by mobilephone 4 is terminated and the call by PC 6 is initiated. In this manner,the call initiation redirect from the mobile phone 4 to PC 6 is seamlessand the call participant recipients are not aware of the transfer. Theheadset user need not perform any actions other than having initiatedthe call using mobile phone 4.

FIG. 3 illustrates the system shown in FIG. 1 in an example usagescenario. In the scenario shown in FIG. 3, a headset wearer 70 usingheadset 2 is able to form a local wireless link with a mobile phone 4and a PC 6. The headset 2 is wirelessly paired with the PC 6 and themobile phone 4 utilizing a wireless communications protocol such asBluetooth.

In the usage scenario of FIG. 3, headset wearer 70 utilizes mobile phone4 to initiate a cellular phone call initiation 60 to a call participant69 at a telephone 74 over a cellular network. The headset 2 operates toperform a cellular call intercept 63 upon detection of the cellular callinitiation 60. In one example, as part of cellular call intercept 63,headset 2 is adapted to receive dial data associated with the dialednumber of cellular call initiation 60.

Headset 2 transmits a call initiation command 64 with dial data to PC 6.PC 6 is configured to receive the call initiation command 64 andresponsively initiate outbound VoIP call 66 to the call participant 69using an IP network. In one example, PC 6 retrieves additional datastored on PC 6 in order to initiate the call. Headset 2 transmits a callterminate command 72 to mobile phone 4 operable to instruct mobile phone4 to terminate cellular phone call initiation 60. The headset wearer 82conducts the outbound call utilizing the headset 2 with the callparticipant 69 at the telephone 74.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for call initiationtransfer in one example. At block 402, user initiation of a call at amobile phone, operating on a first network is received. For example, themobile phone is a wireless cellular mobile phone and the first networkis a cellular communications network.

At block 404, the phone call initiation by the mobile phone is detected.At block 406, the phone call initiation is redirected to a deviceoperating on a second network. In one example, the device operating on asecond network is a wired device such as a personal computer or a PSTNconnected telephone. In one example implementation, redirecting thephone call initiation includes receiving numeric data associated with adial number and transferring the numeric data to the second device.

At block 408, the call is connected with the device utilizing the secondnetwork. In one example, the method further includes terminating thephone call initiation by the first phone device.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for call initiationtransfer in a further example. At block 502, a phone call initiation bya first device on a first communications network is detected by a bodyworn device. In one example, the first phone device is a mobile cellularphone and the first communications network is a cellular communicationsnetwork. In one example, the body worn device is a headset previouslypaired and linked with the first device and an alternate device. Atblock 504, the dial number associated with the phone call initiation isdetected and identified by the body worn device.

At block 506, the user presented with an option to transfer the callinitiation to an alternate device so that the call is initiated by thealternate device (i.e., redirect the call initiation) operable on asecond communications network. In one example, the alternate device is anetworked computer or a PSTN connected telephone. At decision block 508,it is determined whether the user accepts the call initiation redirect.If no at decision block 508, at block 510, the call is connected on thefirst network.

If yes at decision block 508, at block 512, a call terminate commandmessage is sent by the body worn device to the first device whichoperates to terminate the phone call initiation by the first device. Atblock 514, a call initiate command message is sent from the body worndevice to the alternate device. The call initiate command messageinstruction is configured to initiate a call by the alternate device tothe desired destination over the second communications network.

At block 516, an outbound call is made to the identified dial number bythe alternate device on the second communications network. In oneexample, the call by the alternate device to the desired destinationover the second communications network is a VoIP call made by acomputing device. The process further includes transmitting a calltermination instruction from the body worn device to the first deviceconfigured to terminate the outgoing call to a desired destinationinitiated by the first device

At block 518, the call is connected with the alternate device on thesecond communications network. At block 520, the call voice conversationis conducted using the body worn device.

While the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are describedand illustrated herein, it will be appreciated that they are merelyillustrative and that modifications can be made to these embodimentswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, thescope of the invention is intended to be defined only in terms of thefollowing claims as may be amended, with each claim being expresslyincorporated into this Description of Specific Embodiments as anembodiment of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for call initiation comprising:detecting a phone call initiation by a first phone device on a firstcommunications network, the detecting performed by a body worn device inwireless communication with the first phone device; redirecting thephone call initiation with the body worn device to a second deviceoperable on a second communications network; and connecting the phonecall initiation utilizing the second communications network.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first phone device is a mobile phone andthe first communications network is a cellular communications network.3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first phone device is a wirelessdevice and the second device is a wired device.
 4. The method of claim1, wherein the second device is a personal computer or a PSTN connectedtelephone.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein redirecting the phone callinitiation comprises receiving numeric data associated with a dialnumber and transferring the numeric data to the second device.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising terminating the phone callinitiation by the first phone device.
 7. A system for call initiationtransfer comprising: a first phone device operable on a firstcommunications network; a second phone device operable on a secondcommunications network; and a third device configured for communicationswith the first phone device and the second phone device, the thirddevice operable to detect a phone call initiation to a desireddestination by the first phone device, and the third device furtheroperable to initiate a call by the second phone device to the desireddestination.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the third device is abody-worn device.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the body-worn deviceis a hands-free audio device.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein thethird device is a wireless headset.
 11. The system of claim 7, whereinthe third device is further operable to initiate termination of thephone call initiation to the desired destination by the first phonedevice.
 12. A method for call initiation comprising: receiving at a bodyworn device a call initiation indication of an outgoing call to adesired destination initiated by a first phone device operable on afirst communications network; and responsive to receiving the callinitiation indication, transmitting a call initiation instruction fromthe body worn device to a second phone device operable on a secondcommunications network, the call initiation instruction configured toinitiate a call by the second phone device to the desired destinationover the second communications network.
 13. The method of claim 12,further comprising transmitting a call termination instruction from thebody worn device to the first phone device configured to terminate theoutgoing call to a desired destination initiated by the first phonedevice.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein receiving at a body worndevice a call initiation indication comprises receiving numerical dataassociated with a dial number for the desired destination of theoutgoing call.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first phonedevice is a mobile cellular phone and the first communications networkis a cellular communications network.
 16. The method of claim 12,wherein the second phone device is a networked computer or a PSTNconnected telephone.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the body-worndevice is a hands-free audio device.
 18. The method of claim 17, whereinthe hands free audio device is a wireless headset.
 19. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the call by the second phone device to the desireddestination over the second communications network comprises a VoIP callmade by a computing device.
 20. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising forming a first Bluetooth link between the body worn deviceand the first phone device and a second Bluetooth link between the bodyworn device and the second phone device.
 21. A body worn devicecomprising: a wireless transceiver configured for communications with afirst phone device and a second phone device; and a processing systemconfigured to detect an outgoing call to a desired destination initiatedby the first phone device operable on a first communications network andinitiate a call by the second phone device to the desired destinationover a second communications network.
 22. The body worn device of claim21, wherein the wireless transceiver utilizes Bluetooth.
 23. The bodyworn device of claim 21, wherein the processing system is furtherconfigured to terminate the outgoing call to the desired destinationinitiated by the first phone device.
 24. The body worn device of claim21, further comprising a microphone and a speaker, wherein the call bythe second phone device is conducted utilizing the body worn devicefollowing connection to the desired destination.
 25. The body worndevice of claim 21, wherein the first communications network is acellular communications network and the second communications network isan Internet Protocol network or a PSTN network.